Specialist timing equipment (red)

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Duncan
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Specialist timing equipment (red)

Post by Duncan »

I saw the advert for “Specialist timing equipment (red), only used the once,” and was surprised that any one could bare to part with such a potential heirloom, I have just inherited the families “Blue” equipment that has been passed down between generations, so my question is was the factory settings based on Red or Blue and by how much should I alter the ignition timing to account for the difference in them?
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clive
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Re: Specialist timing equipment (red)

Post by clive »

I have always used red, I find blue, despite the lack of chlorine, being thinner cause an over advanced engine.
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Andy G
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Re: Specialist timing equipment (red)

Post by Andy G »

I believe the red tooling is factory calibrated to 5 thou, while blue is set at 3 from the box.
Mostly these kits are passed down from one generation to the next and there are probably a few more mislaid at the back of drawers just waiting to be rediscovered, but be wary of any you see at a car boot on a wet day!
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Mick D
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Re: Specialist timing equipment (red)

Post by Mick D »

Duncan wrote: Mon Jul 05, 2021 10:25 pm I saw the advert for “Specialist timing equipment (red), only used the once,”
:roll: :roll: :roll:

As any fool nose - the whole point of 'Red' equipment is that perfect results are guaranteed for life and as such most will only have been used once. In fact be very wary of any that has been used more than once, it's most likely faulty or fake.

I'd post photos of my own specialist timing equipment but it's away at the gold platers :oops: :oops:

Regards Mick
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Taid
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Re: Specialist timing equipment (red)

Post by Taid »

Mick D wrote: Tue Jul 06, 2021 7:55 am
Duncan wrote: Mon Jul 05, 2021 10:25 pm I saw the advert for “Specialist timing equipment (red), only used the once,”
:roll: :roll: :roll:

As any fool nose - the whole point of 'Red' equipment is that perfect results are guaranteed for life and as such most will only have been used once. ,.....................

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SPRIDDLER
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Re: Specialist timing equipment (red)

Post by SPRIDDLER »

I can only assume that back in the day new AMC bikes must have frequently suffered from the timing slipping since almost all the factory testers were seen with a pack of Rizlas when they rolled up at the factory gates to do test runs.
The importance of using the genuine blue or red ones cannot be over emphasised as not having any Rizlas at the 1954 ISDT in Czechoslovakia local rider Ivor Czestikoff broke his leg due to over-advancing the timing on his G80CS using a Woodbine.

No self-respecting toolbox should be without them. I'll be advertising my NOS blue ones in the expectation that someone will cough up for them.
Rizlas.JPG


Whilst on the subject of my special tools I have found the SpridSpark tester invaluable.
CIMG0028 (640x480).jpg


And when a non-starting bike drives one to the end of one's tether...............
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Reynard24
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Re: Specialist timing equipment (red)

Post by Reynard24 »

Surely the “Red” specialist timing equipment would only be for Matchless bikes whist the Blue ( or indeed any other colour) would be Ok for AJS?
56G80S
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Re: Specialist timing equipment (red)

Post by 56G80S »

Now I know where I've been going wrong, After failing to resist the blandishments of the environmentalist lobby, I've been using Green Rizla equipment. I'm surprised that this hasn't been mentioned before.

I do believe I have some red somewhere so additional expense is avoidable.

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Andy G
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Re: Specialist timing equipment (red)

Post by Andy G »

You're ok there Johnny, the green and red timer guages are both calibrated to 5 thou. I believe the principle difference is that the green have a cutaway at each end designed to help the less competent operator reach into awkward spaces.
Typically these would make green guages apprentice tools, but they work fine and with practice can be operated one handed which always impresses.
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Triumph-Legend
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Re: Specialist timing equipment (red)

Post by Triumph-Legend »

At the risk of causing further confusion, it should be noted that the question of using red or blue timing aids may simply be resolved by the use of the correct and readily available green. I accept other colour systems may be used succesfully but green has always been my prefference and has never failed yet.
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